Editorial Urges Christie To Make Rebuilt Beaches Free

A newspaper used its front page to call for the suspension of beach fees along the Jersey Shore, whose storm-damaged beaches, boardwalks and towns have been rebuilt with billions in federal tax dollars.

New Jersey is one of only a few states to charge admission to its coastal beaches.

In a Page 1 editorial Friday, the Asbury Park Press asked Gov. Chris Christie to use an executive order or power of the purse to insist towns suspend beach fees, at least for this summer. The governor's office had no immediate response.

The paper said fees should be dropped to thank those who helped rebuild the shore following Superstorm Sandy, and to acknowledge taxpayers are footing the bill.

Some Jersey Shore towns not only rejected calls this year to drop the fees, they raised them.

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